Ex-DUP Leader Donaldson Jailed 15 Years for Child Sex Offences
Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on October 15, 2026, for child sex offences committed over more than two decades. Judge Paul Ramsey passed the sentence in Northern Ireland. Reuters
Donaldson, who led Northern Ireland's largest unionist party, a party that supports the region remaining part of the United Kingdom, was convicted of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency against two girls between 1985 and 2008. He had been held in prison since June after the jury returned its verdicts. He denied all the charges and is seeking to appeal against his convictions. Al Jazeera
In sentencing remarks, Ramsey called the case "disturbing and disquieting." He described Donaldson's fall as "a catastrophic descent into disgrace." The judge assessed Donaldson as having a medium chance of reoffending.
Ramsey also said Donaldson had not offered an apology or expressed shame to the victims. The court heard no admission of responsibility.
The Lady Chief Justice's Office of Northern Ireland said Donaldson will likely spend seven-and-a-half years in prison because of automatic remission, a standard reduction applied to custodial sentences. That provision means half of the 15-year term would be served in custody.
Donaldson became DUP leader in 2021. He resigned after he was arrested and charged in March 2024. He was knighted in 2016 for political services and asked for his knighthood to be renounced two days after his conviction.
